Dogs evolved as active partners with man. They hunted, herded, protected and offered companionship. Dogs had jobs, got exercise and had personal interaction. Even those kept as pets usually had one or more family members at home to be their pack.

By necessity or choice, our lifestyles have become less conducive to dog ownership. Far fewer families live on farms or ranches. More families have both parents working. Children spend more time at school and participate in extracurricular activities. Computers and cell phones absorb free time that was once spent outdoors playing with the family pet or going for long walks.

It is heartbreaking for Animal Control to respond to complaints and find dogs that exist in isolation. Dogs confined in pens or on runners for long hours with no attention or stimulation. Dogs with behavioral problems because they don’t exercise and may have no outlet for their energy.

Some dogs are hit by cars or shot for chasing livestock because they are too bored and lonely to stay at their empty homes. Just because the dog is there when you leave in the morning and there when you return in the evening does not mean that it did not wander during the day.

Getting a dog should be a well-thought-out decision. Research different breeds to find the right one for your situation. Realistically evaluate the expense and time you can devote to a dog. It is always disappointing when some rescue groups or shelters push pets on people. In some cases they seem more concerned with adoption numbers than the animals’ needs. If the dog or cat is not going to a suitable home, then an injustice has been done.

A dog can be such a wonderful addition to life. For those who have the time to provide love, companionship, exercise and care, please give a shelter dog a second chance. Many of these dogs have never experienced a truly good home.

A home where the dog is miserable is no home at all. Unless you have the time to provide for the emotional as well as physical needs of a dog, please do not get one. They are not decorations or accessories. They are sentient beings capable of giving and receiving love, and need to be cared for accordingly.

Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control (694-2730).

© 2012 Friends and Neighbors Magazine

Jennifer Clarke with Gideon

Amid the economic downturn, horse neglect cases in the foothills have soared.

We now investigate twice as many cases – two to three per month compared to one a month. At least four horses have been simply dumped in our area, and ReHorse Rescue, the area’s only equine rescue center, is now holding 44 horses.

Animal Control departments enforce laws and ordinances related to public safety and animal welfare. Cases run the gamut from unintentional lack of care to extreme cruelty. With horses, the most common complaint is about underweight animals. We first locate the horse and verify the complaint (many horses reported lying dead in a field turn out to be napping in the afternoon sun). Next, we talk to the owner about the feed and care regimen. Often, he or she is not knowledgeable about equine care, and education can help rectify the problem.

Some horses are not being fed enough or the right type of feed for the animal’s breed, age, or activity level. When we see one or two thin horses and the rest are normal weight, a dominant horse may be bullying the others and getting most of the feed. This can be solved easily by separating them during feeding time.

If a horse has trouble chewing or is dropping feed, a trip to the equine dentist may be in order. Horses’ teeth grow continuously and, if they do not occlude properly, may develop sharp points that need to be filed down, common in older horses. Senior horses also do not digest as efficiently, and may need specialized feed.

Internal parasites can contribute to weight loss. Many people don’t realize that horses need to be wormed regularly. Horses’ hooves require regular trimming and/or shoeing. Some neglected horses develop a crippling condition called “elves toes” – hooves so overgrown that they curl up in front.

If we find horses that are injured or ill, we require a veterinary evaluation and may seize neglected animals. In cases of intentional neglect or cruelty, criminal charges are filed. In one recent case, a horse named Gabriel collapsed while being ridden along Highway 108. He was 250-300 pounds underweight with various sores and injuries. Another horse, 200 pounds underweight with a festering wound on his withers, was also seized from the same owner, who faces criminal charges.

Gabriel is recovering at ReHorse Rescue, while the second horse, Gideon, is at Tuolumne County Animal Control. With proper feed and care, both animals are now normal weight and healing. Gideon is looking for an experienced person to give him a loving home – one that will be carefully screened, as we do a complete background check on prospective horse adopters.

Anyone considering owning a horse should first learn the requirements for proper care. Then, they should evaluate whether they can really afford a horse. Costs vary widely, from $50 to $500 a month, depending on whether you have pasture or have to board the animal, along with farrier and vet bills, supplemental feed and more.

It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, as anyone who has cared for neglected and abused horses will tell you.

Jennifer Clarke, shown here with Gideon, is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control, 694-2730. Contact ReHorse Rescue at 337-5886, rehorserescue.org. Both organizations welcome donations to help neglected and abused horses.

© 2011 Friends and Neighbors

Jennifer and friend

The foothills are beautiful. No wonder so many choose to retire here to get away from the urban lifestyle and out into the country. So what’s the harm in letting Fido and Rover free to enjoy rural living as well?

The truth is, the consequences of letting dogs run at large can be deadly serious.

Dogs are predators. Man has utilized their instinctive behavior to develop different breeds for different jobs. Some breeds have a higher prey drive than others, but almost any dog in a pack setting is capable of joining in an attack. Dogs at large attack and kill livestock on a regular basis. Goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, poultry and even wildlife are common targets.

Not only do these animals suffer, but someone’s livelihood can be affected. Pets are at risk also. It is very sad to hear from someone traumatized by seeing their beloved cat or small dog killed by a wandering dog.

People are also at risk. Some dogs are aggressive in certain situations and will bite – ask any jogger or cyclist! Dogs can be territorial and do not understand the concept of property lines. They may consider it their job to protect the street in front of their house, or their neighbor’s yard, from passersby. Often, people are bitten while trying to defend their own leashed dog.

Apart from the more serious threat, loose dogs can be a nuisance. I have yet to meet a person who enjoyed having dogs scatter garbage or defecate on their lawn. The dog who makes the rounds to “visit all the neighbors” may not be a welcome guest.

A roaming dog risks harm or death. Animal Control responds to many calls for dogs hit by cars. Unfortunately, not all survive. Dogs are sometimes shot when venturing onto ranches or farms. It is perfectly legal to defend one’s livestock. Dogs at large also  risk encounters with possibly rabid wildlife. And predators such as mountain lions and coyotes can kill dogs.

Tuolumne County has a leash law: No dog shall be off its property (or property it has permission to be on) unless it is on a leash held by someone capable of restraining the dog. Calaveras County requires that dogs be “under the owner’s control” at all times, or, if not being directly supervised by the owner, “contained” on the owner’s property.

These laws exist not only to prevent people, animals and property from being harmed; but also to protect the dog itself. Ultimately, it is the owner’s responsibility to protect man’s best friend.

Jennifer Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control, 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown (694-2730).

Jennifer and friend

These hard economic times are having an impact on the animals as well.

Dealing with job losses, home foreclosures, and uncertainty of what the future holds is forcing many families to make difficult decisions. More pets are being surrendered, and fewer impounded pets are being reclaimed.

Last year at Animal Control, we saw a marked increase in horse neglect and abandonment. The most poignant case was that of an elderly, starving mare dumped at a local trailhead. Her medical conditions were untreatable, and she had to be euthanized.

The problems started when the price of hay skyrocketed, partly due to higher fuel costs.  The market for horses plummeted. There were already too many horses due to overbreeding. Add financial difficulty for the horse owner, and one has a perfect storm for a crisis in the equine world. People can no longer afford their horses but there is nowhere for these animals to go. Regional rescue groups are trying to place or take as many horses as they can, but are overwhelmed.

The situation with dogs and cats is also grave. Just as with their own health care, many people are foregoing routine examinations and preventive medications for their pets.  Local rescue groups are feeling the pinch, as more people are giving up dogs and cats because they can’t afford them, or can’t take them when forced to move.

Neglect and cruelty is also on the rise. Our officers are investigating more cases of animals receiving inadequate care or simply being left behind when people move. The whole animal welfare community is struggling to care for more and more four-legged victims of this economic downturn.

Exacerbating the problem is that there are fewer adoptive homes available, and donations to charitable groups have dropped dramatically. At a time when humane societies and rescue groups are needed most, they are running out of money. Animal Control’s own budget cuts have left fewer people to handle neglect cases and care for shelter animals. Consequently, we can only maintain a smaller shelter population.

What can you do? Spay or neuter your pets, and control breeding so that the number of dogs, cats, horses, etc. does not exceed the number of homes available. When acquiring an animal, consider carefully whether you can meet its needs now and in the future. It is all too easy to take on more than you can handle.

For those who can – donate time or money to the Humane Society, Friends of Animal Control, or one of the other animal welfare groups in our area. Seldom has it been needed more.

Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control, 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown, (209) 694-2730.

I checked with friends and family to find out who was willing or able to care for which animals. Then I sat down with our attorney and drafted a will outlining specifics and providing stipends for each caregiver. I did not make any animal a direct beneficiary because at that time in California treated pet trust funds as honorary and not necessarily enforceable.

At the shelter we have received many dogs and cats over the years that have been left homeless because their owners have died or had to enter assisted-care facilities. In some cases the family has tried unsuccessfully to keep or place the pet. In other cases they simply do not want the responsibility and no provisions have been made. One of the dogs I adopted was dumped in the Animal Control night drop with a note that his owner had died. He was very traumatized by the situation and it has taken a lot of gentle encouragement to build up his confidence.

This year, California Senate Bill 685 became law. It provides for legal enforcement of pet trusts and a means to monitor the care of the pet. Consultation with an attorney can help to prepare a document that ensures ones wishes are carried out for the continuing care of a faithful friend.

There are other options and groups willing to help. Some animal welfare groups have programs such as the Sido program at the San Francisco SPCA (415-554-3027 or www.sfspca.org ) and the PetGuardian Pet Trust Plan associated with Best Friends Animal Society (1-888-843-4040 or www.petguardian.com).

A relatively new organization is 2^nd Chance 4 Pets based in Los Gatos, California. Their focus is on assisting pet owners in providing care when they no longer can.  2^nd Chance 4 Pets has forms available to document caregiver, veterinarian, trustee, pet, and emergency information. This non-profit organization has a “Guide to Planning for the Lifetime Care of Your Pets.”

We have brochures about 2^nd Chance 4 Pets at the shelter or the information can be obtained at www.2ndchance4pets.org. Planning for the future not only assures care for your best friend but also provides peace of mind.

Jennifer Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control, 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown.

© 2009, Friends and Neighbors Magazine

State law requires that dogs be vaccinated and licensed, but don’t forget about your cat, who is actually more likely to encounter wildlife if allowed to wander. It is safest to keep pets inside. Never feed pets outdoors, as the food attracts skunks, raccoons and other wildlife, increasing the risk of exposure.

Rabies is most commonly transmitted by a bite or scratch, or contamination of mucous membrane, as in the eye or mouth. If your pet tangles with a known or suspected rabid animal, or gets exposed to their saliva, he or she will need to be quarantined.

The good news is that if your pet has a current rabies vaccination, and a booster shot is given within 48 hours, the quarantine lasts for 30 days. If your pet does not have a current vaccination, or does not receive the booster, the quarantine is for six months! In a typical year, Animal Control confirms two or three cases of rabid animals, usually skunks or bats. But since the lab will only test if there’s a known exposure, there are realistically more rabid animals out there that we are unable to confirm.

If you are bitten by an animal, clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention if necessary. Always consult with a doctor for cat bites to the hand, as the bacteria that live in cats’ mouths frequently cause infections. Animal Control often learns about a cat bite a few days after it happens because the patient ends up in the hospital.

Animal Control should be notified of all potential rabies exposure, either by the medical provider or the victim. Per state law, every dog or cat that bites someone must be quarantined for 10 days. Studies have shown that if a dog or cat is infective (the rabies virus is in its saliva), it will show clinical signs of rabies within five days; the state likes to play it safe and observe them for 10 days.

Clinical signs typically include change in behavior; neurological symptoms such as convulsions, spinning, bumping into things; and ultimately, paralysis. The animal usually dies from respiratory paralysis, first losing the ability to swallow, then to breathe.

The state makes an exception on quarantine periods if the dog or cat can be held at a veterinary office: There, it must be observed for five days in a row and examined by a licensed vet each day. Dogs lacking a current rabies vaccination must be quarantined at a veterinarian’s office or at Animal Control – home quarantine is not permitted. All other domestic animals must be quarantined for 14 days. Wild animals must be euthanized and have their brains tested for rabies.

Rabies is preventable – but only if pets are kept vaccinated. Animal Control and the Tuolumne County Veterinary Association will sponsor low-cost rabies clinics starting in May. Contact our office at 694-2730 to get the dates.

Jennifer Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control, 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown.

© 2009, Friends and Neighbors Magazine

It does not matter how many “rescue” groups are trying to place dogs and cats. We are all working with the same pool of prospective adopters. Some shelters, Tuolumne County included, are actually seeing a drop in adoptions due to other groups with competing populations of dogs and cats looking for homes. Even worse, some groups are not careful about screening adopters. We urge that these groups check to ensure a positive veterinary and care history on prior pets, as we do. Pets placed in inappropriate homes either suffer neglect or end up being disposed of. An adopter who does not follow through on spay/neuter of a new puppy or kitten leads to five to 10 animals needing homes instead of one.

We hear many excuses for not spaying and neutering. The fact is, if the welfare of dogs and cats is important to owners, they will get it done no matter what. If it is not important, they will offer reasons intended to relieve them of responsibility. Here are excuses we commonly hear:

“It is too expensive.” It actually costs more to raise a litter of puppies than to have the mother spayed. Tuolumne County has a Spay Neuter Assistance Program, under which a low-income household pays only $15 to spay/neuter a cat. Recently a young couple brought in a nursing mother cat with kittens. “She keeps having accidents (kittens).”  They “could not afford” to have her spayed – yet smoked cigarettes. Four packs would have paid for a spay. If you can’t afford spay or neuter, how will you afford a vet bill if your pet gets sick or injured?

“My dog/cat will become (fat, inactive, a sissy, etc) if neutered.”

Your pet becomes overweight for the same reasons you do – too much food and not enough exercise. Altered animals enjoy health benefits such as a much lower incidence of mammary tumors, testicular cancer and prostate disease. Dogs protect because they are territorial and possessive, not because they have testicles.

“I want to sell the puppies/kittens.” This is self-explanatory. Money is more important to some than reducing the number of animals being euthanized. This is exactly why puppy mills exist. Any time profit can be made, animal welfare goes out the window.

At Animal Control we must kill dogs and cats that cannot be placed in homes. I cannot describe the emotional toll this takes on a group of people who love and are committed to helping animals.

This is a preventable tragedy. Having a pet is a responsibility. In addition to altering your pet, you must provide it with food, water, shelter, proper veterinary care, and socialization. If you do not have the time or resources to do this, please do not get a pet. Our society seems to stress rights over accountability. It is time to take personal responsibility to end pet overpopulation.

© 2008, Friends and Neighbors Magazine

Have a pet carrier ready for each dog and cat. Make sure it is large enough for the pet to stand up and turn around in. Make sure the pet is comfortable getting in and out of the carrier prior to an emergency. Have leashes for all dogs and cats so that they can be taken out safely.

Make sure all pets have identification – licenses, ID tags, microchips. If you have pre-planned where you will go during an evacuation, have temporary tags made with this information.

Preparing a disaster kit for your pet can save a lot of time. It should include:

• Vaccination records, care instructions, and a current photo of the pet
• A seven-day supply of medications, food, and water for each pet (replace on a regular basis to ensure freshness)
• Extra collars, leashes, food bowls, can opener, blankets
• Supply of kitty litter, small litter box, pooper scooper, bags to dispose of pet waste
• Pet first-aid kit
• If there is room, add pet toys and bedding – the familiar smell will reduce stress for your pet

Make arrangements in advance as to where you will go. If you are going to stay with friends, will they welcome your pets and be able to accommodate them?  Do you have a veterinarian or boarding kennel who can house your pet?  Remember, they will require proof of current vaccinations.

Red Cross does a tremendous job setting up emergency shelters for people during evacuations. However, for health and safety reasons animals are not permitted inside. If the need arises Animal Control sets up an evacuation center for pets. Dogs, cats, small animals and livestock are housed in a controlled temporary shelter. If it is safe, Animal Control employees are permitted to go into evacuated areas to pick up animals or feed those that have been left behind.

It is always wonderful to see how many people in the community are willing to help during a time of crisis. We are grateful for the volunteers who help care for the animals, donate supplies, and do whatever is needed to assist those who have evacuated. We even have our volunteer “wranglers” who provide extra trucks and trailers to pick up livestock or donate pasture to house horses and cattle. Anyone interested in being an emergency volunteer can contact our office at (209) 694-2730.

Jennifer Clarke is the manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control.

© 2008, Friends and Neighbors Magazine

First, search the immediate area in case the pet has not gone far or is hiding nearby. The sound of your voice may bring back a wayward dog, or coax a frightened kitty from a hiding spot.

If the pet is not located within half an hour, your first call should be to Animal Control (209-694-2730). Animal Control is the county agency that enforces the laws pertaining to animals and provides a shelter for strays. We also maintain extensive lost and found information with a goal of reuniting owners with their lost pets.

To avoid confusion, the Humane Society – which is next door to Animal Control on Victoria Way in Jamestown – does not take lost or found information. The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization and its shelter is exclusively for owner-released dogs and cats.

When you call Animal Control, we will ask for a description of the missing pet, when and where it was lost, whether it has a collar or other ID device, and how to contact you if the pet is located.

Once we have that information, our staff will:

• Check to see if the pet is in our shelter
• Look in our “Found” book for pets matching that description
• If there’s no match, we will take a full report to file in our “Lost” book, which we check against each incoming animal

Be sure to check back every three days, and to let us know if you find your pet.

The next most important step is to post flyers in the area where the pet is missing. Including a photo is desirable because it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Certain mixed-breed dogs are not easy to describe, and cat colors can be confusing.

Be sure to call the local radio station (KVML, 533-1450) to post a free lost report on their website. Also consider placing a lost report in the local paper’s classifieds (The Union Democrat, 532-7151, offers free “Pet Found” ads). If your pet is lost at or near the county line, Animal Control can provide you with phone numbers for our neighboring agencies.

Keep searching on foot in the area that the animal was lost. Sometimes an injured animal does not want to be found, or is unconscious. It is important to search areas repeatedly. Go door to door and pass out your flyer. Ask delivery people, such as the mail carrier or propane truck driver, to be on the lookout for your pet as they go to different residences.

There are things you can do proactively to make it easier for your missing pet to find its way home. Wearing a license tag is not only a legal requirement for dogs but is also an important source of owner information. There are times when Animal Control is not open, so in addition to a license tag, we recommend an identification tag with name and phone number.

Don’t forget that cats need ID tags too. Some people worry about putting collars on cats, but there are many available that have safety clasps or sections that stretch so that the collar comes off the cat in an emergency. Statistically, more cats die from lack of identification than from collar mishaps.

Microchips are a highly recommended means of identification that can never be lost.  They are the size of a grain of rice and are implanted between the shoulder blades. All California shelters scan incoming animals for microchips, and most veterinary offices have the ability to scan as well. Upon detecting a microchip, Animal Control calls the company and either gets the owner information or the name of the veterinarian or shelter that implanted the chip. Microchips are very useful in proving ownership in cases where an animal has been stolen.

Hopefully you will never have to go through the anguish of losing a pet, but if you do, please know that Animal Control is here to help you.

Jennifer Clarke is manager of Tuolumne County Animal Control. Contact her at (209) 694-2730.